I need advice to soften the ride
04-09-2019, 11:29 PM
#1
I need advice to soften the ride
1989 Formula WS6. If the road isnt brand new, this car is an "offroad Jeep" when it makes contact with anything. This car isnt being driven hard. It's a daily street car. Could you kindly and non-sarcastically give opinions on what kind of basic things I can change to soften the ride? I know it wont ever be a Buick Park Avenue, but I'm sure someone knows how to make it at least 10% less stiff. Which shocks and springs specifically? Everything on the car is stock, and mostly original. Holler back! Thanks!
04-10-2019, 12:07 AM
#2
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Car: '89 Firebird
Engine: 7.0L
Transmission: T56
Re: I need advice to soften the ride
You might need to tighten things up with new bushings and such. But the secret sauce is in the shocks. It's all about control of wheel movement and Koni "yellow" struts do it best without spending gobs of money. You'll just have to experiment with the rear shocks. I've graduated from Koni to Viking double adjustable in an effort to settle down the rear. The Koni were too harsh for my car.
04-10-2019, 12:27 AM
#3
Re: I need advice to soften the ride
Do you know if the car has a stock suspension parts? I agree with the shocks. I use KYB Excel-G. OEM-ish damping. Not particularly sporty. If the springs are aftermarket or higher rate, that can add harshness. If the bushings are not stock rubber or worn out, that can cause harshness.
04-10-2019, 11:43 AM
#4
Re: I need advice to soften the ride
It's mostly stock all over. I think I will take it into a local shop and have them put the car up on the lift to see exactly what I've got under there. I would be willing to swap bushings and shocks even if it softened the ride just a little. I drove the car a couple hours the other day and when I got home I felt like I was at Jeep Jamboree all day lol. I want it to be fun, not backbreaking.
04-10-2019, 01:48 PM
#5
Re: I need advice to soften the ride
Stock springs are very stiff. You need a GOOD quality shock/strut to help keep them in control. Koni is about the only game in town for a stock replacement that's capable of doing the job well.
I'd also look at the tires. Older dried out tires, lower profiles, and so on can drive harder than a new tire.
If the bushings are old and rock hard, replacing them could make a difference.
These cars are firm, but generally a WS6 Firebird doesn't ride that rough. Assuming that everything is in good condition.
I'd also look at the tires. Older dried out tires, lower profiles, and so on can drive harder than a new tire.
If the bushings are old and rock hard, replacing them could make a difference.
These cars are firm, but generally a WS6 Firebird doesn't ride that rough. Assuming that everything is in good condition.
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